South End’s Krispy Kreme now open, with its 24-hour doughnut vending machine.
We can all agree that 2020 has not been a stellar year, but Krispy Kreme may just turn it around. The iconic North Carolina-founded brand will open the doors at its new South End location on Aug. 25. The new shop will be adjacent to Krispy Kreme’s Global Project & Innovation Center and home to a new Insomnia Cookies shop. Because what’s better than hot doughnuts? Hot cookies and hot doughnuts.
“Being home to our Global Product & Innovation Center, Charlotte is near and dear to our hearts, so we’re treating our neighbors to special experiences they won’t find at any other Krispy Kreme location,” Rhianna Simard, Krispy Kreme’s district manager, said in a statement. “From beautiful artwork inspired by the Queen City and new Doughnut Vending Machine to Insomnia Cookies, we want this shop to be a sweet treat destination and staple in the community.”
Charlotte is getting a doughnut vending machine
The South End Krispy Kreme location will cater first to the guest experience, where you’ll be able to sample innovative new products. What could be more innovative than hot doughnuts signified by a red light, you ask?
Charlotte will be home to Krispy Kreme’s first ever doughnut vending machine (yes, this is real). It will serve three-packs of select, fresh-made daily doughnut flavors. And it gets better — these are available 24 hours a day, assuming supplies last. I’d get there early, just to be safe.
The new location will also serve scoop sandwiches, which are Krispy Kreme’s take on the classic ice cream sandwich, but with Original Glazed Doughnut-infused ice cream. Each delicious flavor will be scooped between a sliced doughnut with a combination of toppings and drizzles. Options include Chocolatey Caramel Coconut, Cookies & Kreme, Triple Chocolate, Vanilla Chip, Vanilla Fruity Crunch and Vanilla Sprinkled.
If you’re in the mood for something refreshing, you can try hand-spun milkshakes, crafted with the same doughnut-infused ice cream in flavors like Classic Strawberry, Double Chocolate, OREO Cookies & Kreme, Salty Caramel and Vanilla Glazed.
Wait, stick around. There’s more:
The shop’s interior and exterior design will give a nod to the Queen City with custom artwork designed by local artist Gina Elizabeth Franco. On the exterior, there will be a doughnut mural that includes 72 doughnuts, each with its own special ode to Charlotte. Inside, there’s another mural of the city skyline, also created by Franco.
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The shop is inside of a renovated warehouse that was once home to the Hawkins Street Design Center, according to the Charlotte Business Journal.
Throughout the grand opening week, you can expect giveaways and celebrations. Krispy Kreme will randomly give out 10 dozen (120 total) “Celebration Dozen Tickets” to guests that visit the store. If you’re selected, this will get you one free dozen of Original Glazed Doughnuts every month for a year.
The South End shop will be open Sunday-Thursday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. If you’re still craving more sweets after your visit, hop next door to Insomnia Cookies, open until midnight Sunday-Wednesday and until 1 a.m. Thursday-Saturday.
The well-being of the Charlotte community is important to the doughnut brand, too. Krispy Kreme will comply with government and health-related guidelines, so you can enjoy safe doughnut consumption. You can purchase doughnuts via in-shop takeout or by ordering doughnuts online (or through the app). These are available for pickup or delivery within 10 miles of the South End location.
Krispy Kreme
2116 Hawkins St.
Hours: 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 6 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Instagram: @krispykreme
Insomnia Cookies
2116 Hawkins St., Suite 103
Hours: Noon to midnight Sunday, 11 a.m.-midnight Monday-Wednesday, 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Thursday-Friday, and noon- 1 a.m. Saturday.
Instagram: @insomniacookies
This story was originally published August 19, 2020 at 12:01 AM.
